Keeping environment clean is in your hands alone

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

When will we, as citizens, start taking responsibility for our actions? Why do we constantly blame others when things go wrong instead of looking in the mirror? In today’s world, the habit of shifting blame has reached alarming proportions.

We throw trash on the roads and then blame sweepers or municipal authorities for unclean streets. And, honk unnecessarily and blame the government for not controlling noise pollution. Then, we flout traffic rules and criticise traffic cops when accidents happen. Also, we waste water and electricity and blame authorities for shortages. Further, we fail to recharge groundwater and then complain about its depletion. And we burst firecrackers and burn garbage, only to blame the government for the resulting pollution.

The truth is simple: we are the problem, and we are the solution.

Air Pollution in Delhi: A Wake-Up Call

Take the recent case of rising air pollution in Delhi. As a Delhi resident, I’ve experienced severe coughs and throat congestion since Diwali night. The smog engulfing Delhi and the NCR region is largely caused by residents themselves.

Despite government advisories discouraging firecracker use for over a month before Diwali—and for the past 10 years—most people ignored these warnings. I witnessed neighbors spending Rs 10,000 or more on crackers over three nights, only to blame the government the next morning.

Organizing rallies with masks to protest air pollution might raise awareness, but it won’t solve the root cause. The truth is: air pollution is caused by our own actions.

• Burning stubble in fields

• Burning garbage and leaves

• Firecrackers during festivals

• Vehicular emissions

• Factory and power plant pollution

Each one of us is both a contributor and a victim. Without public accountability, government efforts alone cannot make a real difference.

How Citizens Can Take Action

Farmers:

Stop burning crop stubble. Adopt alternatives such as mulching or bio-decomposers.

Municipal Workers:

Avoid burning garbage or green waste. Promote proper composting and waste management.

Industries:

Reduce or stop producing high-decibel, pollution-causing firecrackers. Install filters, scrubbers, and water sprinklers to limit emissions.

Power Plants and Factories:

Even if located outside Delhi, emissions affect the city due to wind-blown particles. Install pollution control measures and monitor outputs.

Everyone:

Plant trees—any species that grows locally. Focus on amla, tamarind, shisham, neem, and gulmohar. These are effective at trapping dust and purifying the air. Care for these trees to ensure a healthier environment.

Why Taking Responsibility Matters

Air pollution is a collective problem that requires collective solutions. Each individual action, no matter how small, contributes to cleaner air, better health, and a sustainable environment. Waiting for the government to act is not enough—change begins with us.

Let us pledge to act responsibly, reduce pollution, and make Delhi and India a healthier place to live.